There are few places in the world that capture the true spirit of Christmas quite like the Cotswolds. As the festive season of 2025 approaches, this region of rolling hills and honey-coloured villages transforms into a real-life winter wonderland. From twinkling lights in market towns to the enchanting scent of fresh pine, the Cotswolds offers a Christmas experience straight out of a storybook.
Here is our guide to the key highlights for a truly magical festive season in 2025.
Iconic Villages & Their Festive Highlights
Each village offers a unique flavour of Christmas cheer. Be sure to add these must-see spots to your itinerary.
Bourton-on-the-Water’s Floating Christmas Tree
This is perhaps the most iconic festive sight in the Cotswolds. The village's famous Christmas tree is set up in the middle of the River Windrush, creating a spectacular, illuminated display that is reflected in the water below. It’s a perfect spot for a memorable festive photograph.
Broadway's Twinkling Lights
The elegant High Street of Broadway is renowned for its magnificent festive light display. Thousands of fairy lights drape across the street, illuminating the quaint, independent shops. This is a wonderful location for some late-night Christmas shopping, accompanied by the sounds of carol singers and the aroma of festive food from local stalls.
Stow-on-the-Wold & Chipping Campden
These two towns perfectly capture the spirit of a traditional Cotswolds Christmas. Explore their charming market squares and wander through narrow streets lined with unique boutiques. The festive atmosphere is authentic and perfect for discovering unique, hand-crafted gifts.
The Best Christmas Markets & Festive Events
For many, Christmas isn't complete without a visit to a bustling market.
Cirencester’s Christmas Market
Often referred to as the "Capital of the Cotswolds", Cirencester hosts a highly anticipated Christmas market. You can expect a wide array of stalls selling everything from local produce and artisanal food to unique crafts and festive decorations. It’s the ideal place to soak up the joyous atmosphere and find that special gift.
The Westonbirt Arboretum Enchanted Light Trail
For a family-friendly evening out, the Westonbirt Arboretum light trail is a sensory delight. As darkness falls, the trees are beautifully lit with stunning illuminations and displays, creating a magical journey through the woods. This is an event that combines nature's beauty with creative festive art.
Cheltenham’s Christmas Market
Situated on the Promenade, Cheltenham's market offers a more urban take on the Cotswolds festive experience. With a wide selection of wooden chalets, you can find unique gifts and enjoy seasonal food and drink while exploring the town's vibrant shopping scene. You can learn more in our 2025 Guide to Christmas in Cheltenham.
Festive Feasting: A Culinary Tour
No visit is complete without indulging in the local culinary scene.
Cosy Pubs
Seek out a traditional Cotswold pub with a roaring log fire. They are the perfect place to warm up with a hot mulled wine and a hearty, home-cooked meal. Many will have special festive menus to celebrate the season.
Our Recommendations:
The Bell, Sapperton - The Bell at Sapperton is the perfect spot for a cosy winter retreat. Settle in by the crackling open fire with a glass of local wine or a craft beer and indulge in one of their renowned roasts for the ultimate seasonal comfort.
The Crown, Cirencester - Right in the centre of town, The Crown is full of charm with its impressive open fireplace and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that welcomes everyone, whether you’re stopping in for a well-poured pint, a hearty meal, or bringing the dog along after a stroll through the Abbey Grounds. Warm and inviting – a true local favourite.
The Close, Tetbury - The Close is full of character, offering plenty of snug corners and magnificent fireplaces, including a grand one that greets you the moment you walk through the door. Just a short drive from Westonbirt Arboretum, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a woodland walk - and dogs are given an equally warm welcome.
Charming Tea Rooms
The region is famous for its delightful tea rooms. Stop in for a festive afternoon treat of hot chocolate, mince pies or a traditional cream tea. Jam or cream first? We won't jugde!
Our Recommendations:
Broadway Deli, Broadway - During the festive season, this spot really comes into its own. Warm up with top-quality coffee, tea, or even a glass of wine or beer, and enjoy comforting favourites from hearty breakfasts to soups, sandwiches and indulgent cakes.
Hunter's of Broadway Restaurant & Tea room, Broadway - Step inside this charming period Cotswold stone building to discover a tearoom and restaurant with a delightful courtyard. The combination creates a warm, welcoming and intimate atmosphere, perfect for lingering over a meal or a cup of tea.
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, Chipping Campden - Blending tradition with a modern twist, their afternoon tea promises an unforgettable tasting experience. Enjoy it overlooking one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful high streets, Chipping Campden.
Fine Dining
For a truly special occasion, the Cotswolds boasts a number of award-winning restaurants and high-end eateries offering exquisite seasonal menus in a beautiful setting.
Our Recommendations:
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach - The focus at the Wheatsheaf Inn is on simple, rustic dishes made from the finest locally sourced ingredients. Their Christmas menu is always carefully designed to celebrate the season, showcasing the best produce from British lands and shores, ensuring a truly memorable festive feast.
MO | Dormy Hotel, Farncombe - For a special Christmas dining experience, MO offers a chef’s table-style evening with an eight-course tasting menu. The dishes focus on seasonal, sustainable ingredients and often feature unexpected combinations. The experience is limited to 12 guests per night, with dinner served Thursday to Sunday at 7:30pm. MO is a quiet, creative spot for anyone looking to try something different this festive season.
The Dining Room at Whatley Manor, Malmesbury - The Dining Room offers an experience that is both engaging and elegant. Guests begin in the Drawing Room and then move into the kitchen to meet Chef Ricki Weston, sampling his creative and carefully crafted dishes along the way. A zero-waste approach is at the heart of the kitchen and grounds, with ingredients like honey from the hotel’s own bees and vegetables grown in the on-site kitchen garden.
Winter Walks and Countryside Strolls
The Cotswolds’ rolling hills and picturesque villages become even more enchanting in winter, making them ideal for festive walks and countryside adventures. Crisp air and quieter trails allow you to fully appreciate the region’s natural beauty, from gently undulating fields to ancient woodlands dusted with frost. Historic towns like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Chipping Campden offer charming streets and seasonal decorations, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Our Recommendations:
Broadway Tower and Surrounding Hill
Climb up to Broadway Tower for panoramic views over the Cotswolds. The surrounding trails wind through open fields and woodland, making it perfect for a crisp winter walk.
Cleeve Hill
The highest point in the Cotswolds offers expansive views of the surrounding countryside. Trails range from gentle walks to more challenging hikes, all ideal for a winter adventure.
Bourton-on-the-Water to Lower Slaughter
Follow the River Windrush on a scenic route connecting Bourton-on-the-Water and the charming village of Lower Slaughter. Frosted bridges, stone cottages and quiet paths make it a magical winter stroll.
Stow-on-the-Wold Circular Walks
Several circular walking routes start in Stow, passing through rolling fields, historic villages, and peaceful woodland. Perfect for exploring traditional Cotswolds scenery in winter.
Chipping Campden to Dover’s Hill
This walk combines the town’s historic charm with countryside trails up to Dover’s Hill, offering sweeping views and the chance to spot wildlife in the winter landscape.
Bibury and the River Coln
Stroll along the River Coln in Bibury, admiring the iconic stone cottages and tranquil river scenery. A short walk here feels like stepping into a winter postcard.
Snowshill and Snowshill Manor Gardens
Explore the fields and woodland around Snowshill Manor for a peaceful winter walk. The manor’s gardens and surrounding countryside make for a scenic route.
Painswick Beacon
A short climb rewards you with breathtaking views over the Cotswolds. The surrounding trails through grassland and woodland are especially beautiful on crisp winter days.
Winter Workshops & Craftsmanship
The Cotswolds has long been a haven for makers, and in December its creative spirit comes alive in workshops that invite visitors to slow down and craft something lasting.
Our Recommendations:
In Broadway, Cotswold Pure Botanicals runs intimate candle-making sessions using soy wax and essential oils, a quiet antidote to the frenzy of high-street shopping.
At Owlpen Manor near Uley, local florist Eve Squire leads wreath-making in the estate’s rustic pole barn, with foraged greenery from the surrounding valley adding authenticity to each design.
For those drawn to more unusual experiences, botanical casting at Miserden offers the chance to imprint winter foliage into clay and create delicate stone casts.
These workshops are less about perfection and more about process, where the rhythm of making becomes as restorative as a walk through the frosted countryside.
Wrapping Up Your Cotswolds Christmas
Christmas in the Cotswolds brings together everything the region is known for: beautiful countryside, historic villages, and a strong tradition of craftsmanship. Whether you spend your time walking in the crisp winter air, exploring festive workshops, or enjoying seasonal food by the fire, the Cotswolds offers a Christmas that feels authentic and welcoming. It is a place where the season can be enjoyed at a slower pace, with experiences that are memorable for all the right reasons.
We hope this guide helps you make the most of it, and perhaps even adds a few new traditions to your festive calendar.
Three Counties Christmas
This guide was put together by Three Counties Christmas. A husband-and-wife team based in the Cotswolds, leading a small, dedicated group of designers and installers who live and breathe Christmas.
Each year, we work closely with homes, businesses and public spaces across Stroud, Cirencester and Cheltenham to create festive displays that feel both magical and meaningful. We’re hands-on from start to finish, and building lasting relationships with our clients is at the heart of everything we do.
If you’d like to chat about your Christmas decorating plans, whether for your home, business or somewhere in between, you can get in touch with us here. We’d love to hear from you.
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